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Working From Home

Situation: Working from Home

You're working from home, and you find you need access to resources restricted to systems that are part of the campus network, such as the Library's Online Reference Collection and Online Research Resources. However, some of those web sites won't send information to a computer that isn't identified as part of the UIUCnet network. Your desktop computer weighs 25 pounds, it's sleeting outside, and the nearest campus library closes in 30 minutes. You want to know how to get access to those restricted web sites and network resources without having to use an on-campus computer.

What you can do

There are three security steps involved when you're working from home:

  1. Make sure your home system is up to date and protected from viruses and other malicious software.
  2. Make a secure connection to campus and identify yourself as a member of the campus community in order to receive an on-campus IP address.
  3. Communicate securely with on-campus systems (and with systems such as the Library's special collections, which expect your computer to have an on-campus IP address).

Basic protection

The basic security steps described in the laptop scenario also apply to a home desktop system that is used to connect to the Internet and to campus. (The home router with a firewall section may be of particular interest to you.)

Connecting to campus

Once you have your basic security in place, you can use the VPN system to make a secure connection to campus. When you've connected with the VPN client, other campus systems recognize your home computer as a legitimate member of the campus network and you can perform most of the functions that you'd be able to do from an on-campus location. (There are occasional exceptions; for example, some on-campus printers won't allow you to print through the VPN connection. Check with your printer's administrator if you need to print from home.)

The VPN for Wired Users page explains more about the value of the VPN system for home users. In addition, a special VPN profile has been created for home users who need access to some restricted Library materials.

Communicating with on-campus systems

You'll use your NetID and NetID password to connect to the VPN system. Your NetID and NetID password are also used by Bluestem, which protects most of the web pages that prompt you to log in for additional access to protected campus information, such as some online Library resources, NESSIE (human resources) information, and more.

However, some campus systems don't use your NetID and NetID password, requiring separate passwords for security purposes. Some examples of campus web sites that will ask for a non-NetID password include:

CITES Security Menu